Jobs at risk unless consumers pay for WEEE Directive

That was the warning from REPIC, the compliance scheme run by a consortium of waste electronics producers to help companies comply with the producer responsibility terms of the WEEE Directive.

” Manufacturers must be able to pass the costs of recycling on to consumers, or jobs will be lost “
– Dr Philip Morton, REPIC
In a letter to MPs and industry figures, REPIC chief executive Dr Philip Morton called for support in demanding that the government push back the start date of producer responsibility for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) until 2006.

Dr Morton also demanded that a visible fee be highlighted clearly on the price of new electronics to show consumers that they are paying for equipment to be recycled at the end of its life.

He said: “Manufacturers must be able to pass the costs of recycling on to consumers, or jobs will be lost. The electrical and electronic goods industry already operates on very narrow margins with the government's own figures showing the costs of implementation equal to the industry's profits.

“If implementation cuts margins further, manufacturers will have little option but to move manufacturing abroad. There are at least 27,000 people currently employed in electrical and electronic manufacturing in the UK,” he added.

Visible Fees

REPIC – the Recycling Electrical Producers' Industry Consortium – wants a recycling fee to be highlighted to consumers at the point of purchase. Dr Morton said: “Consumers should be able to see that they are paying a recycling fee for legitimate WEEE related costs of old products, and know that it is 'ring-fenced' for that entire purpose.”

Dr Morton said there was a danger that fees could be marked up through the supply chain if they are not visible, leading to consumers paying more than necessary.

Although REPIC has said last week it is ready to start providing services for its members by August 13, the date the WEEE Directive requires producer responsibility to begin, Dr Morton called for the industry to unite in demanding a 2006 start date.

“The infrastructure for recycling is not yet in place in the UK because key decisions have still to be taken. The Directive outlines targets for recycling but decisions about the specific recycling process have still to be taken. The waste industry has therefore been unable to invest in equipment and training. Four months is unsufficient time for necessary preparation,” Dr Morton said.

The German government has already delayed the implementation until next year, while other EU member states are expected to do the same. It is thought likely that the UK government will announce a 2006 start date within the next few weeks.